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ARTHUR HOLMES, OF CORTLAND, NEW YO Letters Patent No. 62,334, datedFebruary 26, 1867.

. IMPROVEMENT IN PRESERVING WOOD FROM DECAY.

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN":

Be it known that I, ARTHUR HOLMES, of Cortland, in the county ofCortland, and State of New York, have 1 invented a new and improved Modeand Composition for the Preservation of Wood and Timber.

The nature of my invention consists of a'modcof preparing wood andtimber by applying a preparation which fills the pores of the wood,hardens it, and forms upon its surface a coating which precludes air andmoisture. The eiTect of the process is to secure the timber from anyform of rot, and atthe same time give to it firmness and solidity.

To enable otherssliilledin the art to make and use-my invention, I willproceed to describe its construction and use. V V

I'first prepare the timber for the uses designed, so that no furthercutting or boring will be necessary. The bark should be entirely removedand the surface perfectly dry, but need not necessarily be seasoned, asgreen and seasoned wood are used alike. To the timber thus prepared thecomposition is applied either by immersing the timber in it or coveringthe surface of the wood with the preparation by'nieans of any convenientinstrument. The com-position is of a nature to penetrate the wood,filling the pores and givingto it solidity and strength, and by means ofihe coating, -which forms upon the wood, the wood is protected from airand moisture. I use in my preparation, tar, quick-lime,minepal. paint,and water-lime or hydraulic cement; and to give the composition a properconsistcncyg'I take substance of the natureot ground stone, fine sand,ashes, coal dust, mineral ores &c.,-which should be pulverized, and thecoarse particles removed by sifting or otherwise, and apply suchquantities as shall be required to reduce the composition to theconsistency of paste. Any one or more of these articles may be used inthe preparation. The composition which I use principally is prepared bytaking coal tar,boiled to expel the water; add to this, quick-limethoroughly slaked, water-lime, and mineral paint, in proportion ofonepart of each to ten parts of ground stone or fine sand, and used inquantities sufficient to render the composition of the consistency ofpaste. All ingredients should bedry, theelements thoroughly mixed, andthe preparation applied while hot. I do not limit myself to the use ofthis scale of compounding the elements, but use them in any otherproportion as desired; and also, in the place of ground stone and sand,use in part or whole any or all of the articlesbefore named, andin theuse of mineral ores the paint may be omitted;

Where the timber is to be used in constructing steams'hips andsailingvessels, Ifirst immerse it in a solution of copperas heated toboiling, Where it should remain from four to six hours, After it hasbeen removed and thoroughly dried the application-should be'made-of thepreparation'dcseribcd above.

I do not claim as my invention the articles, as such, used by me, butwhat I do claim as'my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,isy The mode of preparing and preserving wood and timber from decay bythe application of a. composition, and the composition itself, or anyother substantially the same, as hereinbefore substantially set forth.

ARTHUR HOLMES.

In presence of D. H. Benn, E. P. SHIFTER.

